Single Use Products and Organic Waste Ban Resources

VRGA has worked with the DEC to give members access to resources and information that they will need to successfully comply with the July 1st Single Use Products and Organic Waste bans. This page includes the text of the acts, webinars, guidance documents, and FAQ's.

Table of Contents

Ban on Bags, Expanded Polystyrene and Plastic Stirrers (Single Use Products Ban; Act 69)

Alyssa Eiklor of the Agency of Natural Resources lead this information session on the upcoming single use products and plastic bag ban, effective July 1, 2020.We covered what is/isn't legal, alternatives to banned items, SNAP and how it relates to the paper bag fee, and more!

Clean Your Bags Flyer

Watch the Webinar Here

Text of the Law

Beginning July 1, 2020:

If you purchased plastic bags prior to May 15, 2019 you are able to continue to use these bags until July 1, 2021.

All monies collected will remain with the store or food establishment

Exemptions

Certain plastic and/or paper bags are exempt from being banned or charged for:

Certain expanded polystyrene food service products are exempt from the ban including:

Reusable bags are allowed 

There is no ban on reusable bags. Due to COVID-19 some stores chose to ban these bags, but this is not a statewide requirement. Reusable bags have been and will continue to be used at the discretion of the retailer. 

Paper Bag Shortage

VRGA has been made aware that there is a paper bag shortage. We have requested: 

Guidance Documents and Resources

Summary and FAQ from DEC

Sustainability Tips for Food and Beverage Containers

DEC Sign Stating 10 Cents Will Be Charged for Paper Bags

Webinar


Universal Recycling and Ban of Organic Waste (Act 148)

Beginning July 1st, 2020:

All food scraps and organic material are banned from the landfill
Organic material is:

Food scraps include:

Webinar from the DEC

Act 148, Vermont's Universal Recycling Law, went into full effect July 1, 2020. On that date, all organic waste (food scraps etc) had to be diverted from the waste stream. The Department of Environmental Conservation partnered with us to offer information on what the ban entails, how to be in compliance with the legislation, how the ban is being enforced and more.

View the Recording Here

Slide Deck


Hauling

Haulers must offer food scrap collection to nonresidential customers and apartment buildings with four or more residential units unless another hauler will provide that service**
ANR has provided a list of haulers in the state here.

All solid waste facilities and drop-offs that collect trash must separately collect the required recyclables and food scraps (and may charge to do so); they must also collect leaf and yard debris seasonally.

** There is a provision in S.227 that would allow waste haulers to postpone pickup of mandated recyclables, leaf and yard residuals and wood waste, and food residuals separate from solid waste until January 15, 2021 during COVID-19 if they can prove the collection is a threat to the safety of the hauler. The bill has passed the Senate but has yet to pass the House. VRGA will continue to monitor movement of this bill and alert members of any changes.

Customer Waste

Your business is responsible for all solid waste materials produced during normal operations. To help customers and staff properly separate these materials, use the standardized, statewide, Universal Recycling symbols (download at VTrecycles.com) to create signs and posters for your facility.

Guidance Documents and Resources

DEC Requirements for Businesses

DEC FAQ

Finding a Food Scrap Hauler

Webinar